Awareness and Knowledge of Pharmacists Regarding Herbal Medication and the Attitude and Demographics of their Consumers

INTRODUCTION: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), herbal medicines contribute to skills and practices used in cultures worldwide to manage physical and mental disorders. In Saudi Arabia during COVID-19, herbal medicine use increased due to the perceived safety of herbal medications, especially among pregnant women and individuals with health conditions. Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the responsibilities and attitudes of community pharmacists toward herbal medicine use. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, data were collected to obtain information on demographics, attitudes towards herbal medicines, safety knowledge, and the factors influencing communication. The selected sample included community pharmacists in Saudi Arabia. Results: Among the 387 pharmacist participants, the majority were male (n=313, 80.9%) and most acquired herbal medicine knowledge by Internet research (n=146, 37.7%) and from company information (n=139, 35.9%). There was a significant association between the perceived benefit of herbal medication by pharmacists with the non-agreement of using herbal medication from unknown sources (p < 0.05), and they observed that consumers are generally unaware of their possible adverse effects. The majority of participants claimed to be effectively and frequently communicating with their patients. Conclusion: Most participating pharmacists were male and primarily acquired herbal medicine knowledge through online resources and company information, with many recognizing both the benefits and potential risks of herbal products while actively communicating with patients. To improve public awareness and ensure safe herbal medication use, community pharmacists should receive further training and advocate for expanded research in this area.

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